Vol. LXXXIV No. 37 Omaha, NE
Celebrating 84 Years of Service to Nebraska and Western Iowa
11 Iyyar, 5765 May 20, 2005
Omaha Celebrates “Only in Israel” In Capital of European Union, Chabad Wields Great Influence by PHILIP CARMEL (Editor’s note: this is the first of a series of articles about the Jews of Europe and the role of Chabad-Lubavitch.) BRUSSELS (JTA) -- Across the street from the headquarters of the European Commission, in the very heart of the European Union, is the office of the Rabbinical Center of Europe. It looks like a war room: Stretched across one wall is a gigantic map of the European continent, stuck with hundreds of pins from Ireland to Kyrgyzstan. Each pin represents a Chabad rabbi affiliated with the center. This is a map of Chabad-Lubavitch’s sphere of influence in Europe. Sitting beneath it and surrounded by the flags of the E.U.’s 25 member states, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, the Rabbinical Center’s secretarygeneral, is proud of what his group has achieved in its four years in Brussels. “We have around 700 rabbis across Europe who look to us for spiritual and technical guidance,” he says. In a sense, there is a battle going on. For Chabad, it is a battle for the souls of lost Jews; its foot soldiers are the thousands of Chabad emissaries sent to spread yiddishkeit across the globe. But for many Jewish organizations in Europe, it looks increasingly like a battle for control over Jewish communities and institutions. Here, in the political capital of Europe, the activities of the Rabbinical Center have ramifications for Jewish
At Yom HaAztmaut--Israel Independence Day--on Sunday, Israeli shaliach Uri Levin, left, leads the crowd in commemorating Yom HaZikaron in remembrance of those who died fight-
ing for Israel. Cantors Gastón Bogomolni, second from left, and Wendy Shermet followed with Oseh Shalom, El Maleh See more on pages 2 and 24. Rachamim, and Hatikvah.
“Best of Beth El” Musical Salute Promises an Evening of Entertainment for the Entire Community
Then-European Commission President Romano Prodi, center, confers with Rabbi Moshe Garelik, director of the Rabbinical Center of Europe, on Feb. 2, 2004, in Vienna. Credit: Chabad.org political and communal interests throughout the continent. At a time when anti-Semitism and Israel’s image in Europe are occupying the international Jewish agenda, the battle for political recognition, influence -- and public funding -- has intensified. “It’s a great sadness that this duplication exists in a Europe of 25 states where for the first time ever Jews are protected under the law and can cast off their shackles,” says Jonathan Joseph, president of the European Council of Jewish Communities. “It’s such a pity that having come this far, we should dissipate our energies with factionalism.” The Chabad enterprise in Europe is coordinated through the Rabbinical Center in Brussels, acting either alone or through its affiliated organizations, most notably the European Jewish Community Center and a student organization, which maintain offices in the same building. Although the struggle is described by others in the European Jewish community as one between themselves and Chabad, Margolin and his associates in Brussels say that the organizations they head are not Chabad institutions, though they are proud Lubavitchers themselves. Continued on page 8
Inside Opinion Page see page 20
by JILL BELMONT will also delight Beth El Publicity everyone in attenCoordinator dance.” Superlatives The evening will galore will be the also be highlighted order of the day on by the much-anticiThursday, June 9, pated unveiling of 7 p.m., at Beth El “Living an Ageless Synagogue, as “The Story,” the synaBest of Beth El,” a gogue’s 75th giant musical salute anniversary quilt to the synagogue’s project. The proj75th anniversary, ect, over a year in will feature the very the making, feabest entertainment tures four magnifithe congregation Testing, 1-2-3: “Best of Beth El” production coordinator Beth Friedman, left, cent quilts: has to offer--and and musical revue director Joanie Jacobson do a last-minute “sound check” “Jacob’s Ladder,” the celebration is before getting their first rehearsal underway at the synagogue. “Joseph’s Coat of free and open to the entire community! Many Colors,” “Miriam and the Women” and The performance promises to put a smile on every face “Jerusalem of Gold”--rendered by five of Beth El’s in the audience, as more than 80 Beth El men, women “best” artisans--Barbara Rennard, Karin Levine, Ozzie and children will sing and dance their way through a Nogg, Susi Levin, and Julie Phillips. Bordered by the high-spirited, lighthearted evening of favorite songs per- names of congregants past and present, the quilts will be formed at Beth El through the decades. Joanie Jacobson displayed in perpetuity in the synagogue’s social hall. is serving as the show’s director, assisted by production A lovely dessert reception chaired by mother-daughter coordinator Beth Friedman. team Bobbie Epstein and Melissa Schop will cap the The evening’s musical accompaniment will be provid- evening, featuring delectable desserts created by a varied by “Tuffy’s Never-to-Be-Forgotten Anniversary ety of famous “guest bakers” from throughout the Band.” “Ozzie Nogg, Nancy Rips, Dacia Jabenis, Mark Omaha Jewish community. Sanford, Eadie Tsabari, Andee Scioli, Cantor Gastón “What a way to begin the summer--singing, rejoicing Bogomolni, and yes, Beth El’s answer to Sonny and and sharing the music that has been a trademark of our Cher, Rabbi and Susi Levin will be among the headlin- synagogue for so many years,” Jacobson said. “It’s so ers with songs that rock, soothe, energize, and of course, rare to find this kind of talent or entertainment packed inspire!” said Jacobson, who also noted that back by into one exciting evening, and we invite all Jewish fampopular demand, “those memorable Jews Brothers, The ilies in the community to come to Beth El and join in Bocher Boys and Beth El’s ‘BESTT Singing Teachers’ the celebration!”
This Week: Senior Living Starts on Page 13 Continuing Coverage of the March of the Living: Pages 5 and 12
Coming Next Month: Father’s Day/Graduation Issue on June 10
Where Are They Now? Features Bennett Greenspan: Page 10
Documentary by Former Omahan Premiers on PBS: Page 11
New Books Tell Story of GI POWs in WWII: Page 19